It marked the first time a Saudi club played in Iran since 2016, after the AFC announced a “ground-breaking agreement” earlier this month between the two countries’ federations.
Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a winning debut in the Asian titleholders League as he helped Al Nassr to a 2- 0 palm against 10- man Persepolis in Iran on Tuesday night. The five- time Ballond’Or winner, who has five UEFA titleholders League titles to his name, captained the Saudi Arabian side to an opening three points in Group E. The match at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran was played without suckers after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) upheld a one- game ban for Persepolis sympathizers dating back to 2021.
That easily helped Nassr, who seized both pretensions in the alternate half against the two- time runners- up, through a Danial Esmaeilifar own thing and a fine strike by protector Mohammed Qassem.
It marked the first time a Saudi club played in Iran since 2016, after the AFC blazoned a” ground- breaking agreement” before this month between the two countries’ coalitions.
Iran and Saudi Arabia disassociated politic ties seven times agone, meaning Asian titleholders League matches had been since played at neutral grounds.
Ronaldo, 38, was heavily involved throughout, doubly going near in the first half.
His original chance- a important, close- range title- was transferred straight at Persepolis goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand which left Ronaldo beating the post in frustration.
Nassr’s expedients grew vastly at the morning of the alternate half, when Persepolis midfielder Milad Sarlak was given a alternate unheroic card, this time for appearing to stamp on Ronaldo’s charge.
Ronaldo played a crucial part in Nassr’s nature just after the hour, the Portuguese instigating the move that led to Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s blocked shot cannoning off Persepolis full- reverse Esmaeilifar and nestling in the net.
Ten twinkles latterly, Nassr left- back Mohammed Qassem broke down the left and thumped his shot high past Beiranvand to double the callers’ advantage and secure the points.
In the group’s other match, Iran’s Istiklol were held to a goalless draw in Dushanbe by Qatari heavyweights Al Duhail.
In Group A, 2003 winners Al Ain secured an emotional 3- 0 palm at Pakhtakor in Tashkent, while Turkmenistan side Ahal defeated Saudi opponents Al Fayha 1- 0 at home to record only a alternate palm in the competition.
In the East Asian side of the draw, South Korea’s Incheon United opened their Group G regard with a 4- 2 palm over. League titleholders Yokohama F Marinos in Japan.
As a result, Incheon sit on three points alongside Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan, who were made to work for their 3- 1 palm in Manila over Kaya- FC Iloilo of the Philippines.
In Group I, South Korean titleholders, and 2020 Asian titleholders League winners, Ulsan Hyundai won at home over Thailand’s BG Pathum United 3- 1, while Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale saw off hosts Johor Darul Ta’zim 1- 0 in Malaysia.
The group stage, which this time returned to a home- and- down format for the first time since early 2020, runs untilmid-December, with the 10 pool winners and the six stylish alternate- placed brigades advancing to the knockout rounds.
That begins in February with the final taking place across two legs in May. Know More Latest Football News….
